This week, OHA released the fourth Health System Transformation report, and I am happy to tell you about the progress we’re making toward better health, better care and lower costs. Coordinated care organizations (CCOs) are continuing to improve health for members of the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) by delivering better and more appropriate care in the right place and at the right time.

CCOs have increased primary care visits by 18 percent from the 2011 baseline, and more young children are being screened for the risk of developmental, behavioral and social delays. Early identification of possible delays helps children get the support they need during these critical early years to help them grow into healthy kids who are ready to learn.

CCOs are also keeping people with chronic conditions out of the hospital. Hospital admissions for congestive heart failure are down by 32 percent, those for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are down by 36 percent, and admissions for adult asthma are down by 18 percent. This represents savings, but more importantly, it means that people with these conditions are getting coordinated care from a team that knows them, and are avoiding unnecessary trips to the hospital.

Additionally, use of the emergency department is down by 13 percent, and we are also seeing a reduction in hospital readmissions by 8 percent, largely due to community efforts to achieve the highest quality care and to keep people at their healthiest.

More than two-thirds of CCO members are enrolled in patient-centered primary care homes, a key element of coordinated care, and 58 percent of eligible providers have adopted electronic health records.

This kind of progress is exactly what we want to see, and I am excited to see the early impact of coordinated care in communities across Oregon. As we continue to roll out the coordinated care model, people will have access to better health care, be healthier and avoid unnecessary and more costly forms of care.

This is going to make a big difference as more and more Oregonians are enrolling in health care. As of yesterday, 190,861 people have enrolled in OHP through either fast-track or Cover Oregon since January 1. By employing the coordinated care model, we can ensure that they receive the best care possible and build a more sustainable health care system in Oregon.